ATNR Information

IM impacts the timing in the brain and is an essential part of mental processing, good for everyone. But I believe there are some other exercises that could compliment IM training.Retained infant reflexes impact the brains ability to process information efficiently. This is the ATNR in an infant. Your older child should not be influenced by this reflex any longer. Many children I see have this reflex active when it should not be.

Emma' Story - IM with toddlers

IM with very young children. Given the right circumstance, IM is very much an option for the very young. Here's one story.

Cognitive Flexibility

Cognitive Flexibility is the ability to shift gears, a foundation human process that plays a role in an individual's ability to succeed. IM dramatically improves cognitive flexibility at all levels of functioning. Here are three video clips about this mental process.

A dad shares about how improved cognitive flexibility seen during IM training positively impacted his son's behavior.
.

A teen in an elite private school. This video begins with some higher level IM tasks and then you'll hear the student and parent talk about the behavioral ramifications of improved cognitive flexibility.

Research is now being done on elite managers and what's happening in their brains that allows for top end cognitive flexibility that makes them the world's innovators. 

IM assessment - Overflow movement

When your child comes into IM Focused for an assessment, I am going to predominantly measure their timing. Timing is directly related to the efficiency and accuracy of mental processing. This score tells me a lot about your child. Less measurable but just as significant is the way in which your child moves. I put this video together for a presentation for some Kansas City OT students. Some helpful information for parents that these OT students most likely already know is:


Overflow - This is movement other than the movement desired. An common example is when the preschool student opens and closes their mouth matching the opening and closing of the scissors. This tells something about that child's mental processes.


ATNR - Assymetric Tonic Neck Reflex is a normal reflex that everyone has, but after 18 months or so, this reflex should not be spontaneously firing anymore. If it is, a child can have challenges attending, sitting still copying from the board, etc. A child that predominantly makes backwards circles usually will test positive for an ATNR that is not well integrated.


 I thought parents could also benefit by watching this video before your child comes in for an assessment. You will know some of the movements I am looking for then. Here's the video.

Teacher, not Occupational Therapist

I am an educator, not an occupational therapist.

So why's that important to you?

Why am I an IM Provider?

Dear Miriam,

I’m an IM provider because of students that fall through the cracks! You are my typical client.

Our son had learning challenges. As a young child every teacher in our small private school said he was too smart to hold back. Finally in 4^th grade, we pulled him out of private school and put him in public to have him fully evaluated. They said he was too high functioning as well. But he still struggled, so we went to Menninger’s ( when they were here), doctors, tutoring, I’m a special ed teacher so he was put through all the behavior programs I ever read about. I would say he ‘survived’ childhood for the most part, but definitely didn’t thrive ( he has said before that he has to grieve the loss of his childhood) Finally, as a senior in high school, we  found the IM program for him. Immediately his life changed. Since then, he’s gone on to THRIVE – first at K State, then at Rockhurst for his Master’s degree and now out in the work force receiving  great comments about his skills and abilities. He’s leading a happy full involved life – everything we ever dreamed of. But he missed out of 17 years of that fullness of life because his brain was imbalanced and disconnected. I am doing what I’m doing for children (and adults) like YOU – the ones that slip through the cracks, something is not working right. I say, the sooner the better but it’s NEVER too late. My oldest IM student to date is 72 years old J.

Lori

This was the response to a letter I received this morning from an adult who struggles. I very much liked my response, says it in a nut shell why I do what I do. Her letter exemplifies how continued struggles impacts an entire life, how hesitant and unsure you become when your timing/brain connectivity is less than what it should be. "What if you can't help me." I've felt that fear, looked for help everywhere. My hope is that IM offers many people in my world an opportunity for that fullness of life, opens up doors like it did for our son. Here's her letter, typos and all.

Dear Lori,

What if  I do the assment and come out that you can not provide me with any help? For this seems to be the case when I was in school.  I would take test to see if I qitify for the LR room and would always test to high for the LR room but, I still had problems in school.  Miriam (Name changed)

Three years post IM - Typical

I recently received a follow up note from a mom. This is exactly what I want to hear - the child is experiencing a typical childhood - not perfect - but no longer plagued by challenges that rob her of a normal childhood. My son struggled for 17 years and post IM he once commented that he had to 'grieve the lost of his childhood.'  Hard to hear, but there was some truth in his statement. Read this mom's letter Here

Session 14 and not yet in the teens! Panic!

For completion of basic IM, I set a soft goal of getting every child in the teens on at least one task of over 1000 reps for 3 days in a row. Why? Read this mental processing post and this emotional response post.  But, obviously, not all children reach this goal in 15 sessions. This does not mean your child did not gain from IM, nor that your child is deficient is some way, nor that you or I didn't put enough carrots in front of them. IM trainnig is simply a process and every child walks their own path at their own pace to get there.

Synchronized Brain is Important

This is a collection of recent finds on the importance of synchronization with in the brain. This extremely significant mental process is where IM impacts the brain. 

Functional Neurology

A new name for IM training, at least functionally this is what is happening during IM training. If you watch this trailer, you will see one of the therapies being used is indeed IM. A must see video for all my parents.

Hope Restored: Functional Neurology Serves Humanity from Unseen Line Films on Vimeo.

Meltdowns - Cognitive Inflexibility

I almost don't want to share this meltdown for the sake of the young lad in it. Not only is he probably embarrassed by it, it was also taken with out his knowledge.

New Research for IM significance!

How do we know the fried eggs need turned right when we are about to butter the toast? Timing..... but how does our brain actually tell time?  We know when the light should change to green, we wake up with in a minute of the alarm clock going off, we worry when our teen in 5 minutes later than we expected them, but never look at the clock. Fascinating brain! A new theory has just surfaced, and it is using the success with IM as one of it's starting points as to how we keep track of time. Read more here.   How cool could that be!

Primitive Reflexes and Neurodevelopmental Spectrum Disorders

Dr. Martin Rukeyser speaks about primitive reflexes and how a failure of proper neural development can impact children with Neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Asperger syndrome. 

IM and Alzheimer's

Some one recently asked me about IM and Alzheimer's. I knew IM had not been used in this population much, but here's one recent case study I just found. 

New IM research published

Here   you can read about how IM helps students with ADD, the theory behind what's happening to help them focus. I'll take the time to blog on it sometime, right now, I'll just link to the research.

What does guilt do to mental processing?

This morning, my young IM student was making good gains in being able to identify his ANTs, Automatic Negative Thougths. With enough experience in IM, I can now watch the numerical patterns of an individual doing an IM task and tell with in 2 to 3 seconds when they have a negative thought, such as thinking, "This is too hard." The person does not need to verbalize it at all. It can be fleeting or persistent, but you can SEE it in the numbers. Honestly, simply the thought impacts the score! The person does not always even recognize they had the thought... at first. With enough IM, they too can recognize their thoughts in the numerical pattern.

IM Parents must watch video.

This is what IM is all about - changing and building neuronal networks with in the entire brain and particularly in the cerebellum. This 12 minutes is worth your time. You may appreciate the scientific nature of the video but mostly it will change the firing of neuronal networks with in your own brain so you can understand IM more thoroughly. Please watch.

Addicted to video games?

Today, Sammy (named changed) came to IM playing his hand held video game in the car on the way to IM. He did not have a very good day at IM. He could not get engaged in the IM activities. Upon leaving IM, he's focus immediately went to getting that hand held game back into his hands. Mom took it and kept it. Thank you mom.

7 yr old girl "Just doesn't want to put in the effort"

Take a look at this 7 yr olds pre and post IM self portraits. Note: at the beginning of IM last summer, her self portrait was fairly immature for a 7 yr old. You can often tell body awareness challenges through artwork. Here she's drawn a very thick neck and quite out of proportion, or was she trying to make arms? Either way, her sense of her own body seems somewhat vague. She is also missing some key parts usually drawn by seven year olds - arms, a nose, clothes. She has an adorable smile (a sign of internal contentment) - something we want her to keep!!!
.  

The Importance of Automaticity

In IM, automaticity is hugely important. By automatizing your awareness of where your body is in space and how to move it with in time and space very accurately,you free up your conscious brain for higher level functioning. It is one reason IM is so effective and foundational.  Here's an article about automaticity in reading - also essential for good reading - but first you have to automatize your visual processing so the words stay on the page and your body awareness so the book stays in your hand :) IM tasks :)  We see an average of 2 grade levels gain in reading through IM with out ever picking up a book... automaticity.

Stubborn or Cognitively Inflexible?

I spoke last night at Ben's Benefit.  If you are interested in a presentation for your PTO or Church contact me at lori.trainthebraintofocus.net

"He seems to have some insight" - mom tells of gains in metacognition through IM

I received feedback from a mom of an 8 yr old this week. History: This little boy has above average timing, but still struggles with cognitive flexibility and anxiety.  He is now on session 12  of core conditioning - specific exercises targeting his specific issues.  Here's mom's notes (my comments in blue): 

"I have definitely seen improvements - he seems to have some insight into his difficulties. 

ADHD Presentation

This presentation is a great overall view of ADD. Each point Dr. Steven Hinshaw makesis backed by research. One piece that was extremely significant was that if the parent of a child with ADHD has even mild depression, outcomes for the child are significantly less positive. We need to help our parents where by indeed we help our children.  Watch the presentation here - Jan 12th 2011 presentation by Dr. Hinshaw.  He advocates a very structured but warm school environment with some adjustments in homework requirements to meet the students needs. Children with ADHD need rewards as well. Teachers and teaching environments make a difference.

Along these lines - I believe the book The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child  is a great resource for parents of all children, especially any child that is struggling.  It teaches specific steps in positive reinforcement of good behavior and very researched techniques to help the child succeed.

Thinking about thoughts

Rebecca Saxe, a TED Talks speaker, discusses the development of the right temporal parietal junction - the part of the mind that helps us understand what other people are thinking. Very interesting.

Time: Attending to duration triggers specific anticipatory activity

Time processing requires the estimation of events' duration per se, but also seems to trigger attentional and memory processes. (MEG) activity was recorded in fourteen healthy right-handed volunteers. We report an increase of gamma-band oscillations over right fronto-central and parietal regions when subjects are prompted to attend to duration. Our results support the hypothesis that the right fronto-parietal network observed repeatedly in time estimation imaging studies is indeed involved in attentional control rather than stimulus processing. Moreover, they underline the supramodal property of time dimension that goes beyond purely perceptive features.

Authors: Marco Sperduti^a; Catherine Tallon-Baudry^a; Laurent Hugueville^a; Viviane Pouthas<sup>a


Just cut and pasted part of an abstract about Time in the brain.</sup> 

I feel like one of those moms who brags that her baby turned over for the first time.

Just wanted to say thanks for yesterday. I am so encouraged by K----- and his behaviors lately. I don't think it has ever been this good for our family and I know it's because of YOU. Last night continued to be good. I threw my back out so B----- (adult daughter) came over and made dinner. K----- was in the kitchen wanting to read the labels. B---- is usually grouchy to him but because he was so nice she was in a good mood and she showed him how to read them. It was really fun watching them.
This morning he was playing outside and D---- (K's sister one year older) came in and said she couldn't find K----. I figured he went in the neighbors shed to help that man so I told her where to look and have K----- come home. K------- came home and I told him it was not okay to go anywhere without telling me. I am telling you Lori, normally K------ would not have been able to handle it and go right into melt down mode. This time he said, "okay mom I will next time. Sorry, can I go back over?" That never happens!! I feel like one of those moms who brags that her baby turned over for the first time. This would seem ridicules to most but its huge for us. Gains! Again, so cool and thanks so much. I really appreciate you so much, thanks for all your work because ITS WORKING!!

Reading and behavior gains - follow up six months post IM

This adorable young man (7 years old)  went through IM about 6 months ago. He completed 20 - 25 sessions this past summer. Just before he started 2nd grade this year, his reading scored at the kindergarten level! In IM, we don't teach reading, we just prepare the brain to process information so the child can learn to read. I received this note from his mom today.:

"A----- is doing good in school.  He has been able to catch up to the class average in the area of sight words and doing MUCH better with reading.  I have worked with the school to get him into a special program that gives him small group and one-on-one learning to get him caught up with his basic reading skills.  And according to my most recent parent-teacher conference it shows that what we are doing is working very well.  He still has the occassionally off day but we have far more good behavior days then bad.  He also visits with the school counselor once a week after he had an incident where a few kids in his class were bullying him. He still does not have the self confidence I'd like him to have at this point.  BUT things are so much better. 

I still believe very much in the power of IM and would still like for him to get a refresher over the summer. 

Thank you so much for what you do and sharing it with my family. 

Sincerely,
 

K--- S---"

ATNR Article

An article I just ran across on the ATNR - a retained infant reflex that many of my IM students show signs of not having fully integrated. If these lower centers of the brain (midbrain, pons, brainstem) are controlling movement, then the higher centers of the brain (cortex areas) are busy compensating for these reflexes rather than doing the learning and attending it needs to be doing.

Infant Reflexes

Another great link about retained infant reflexes - something I believe to be significant for many of the students I see. The poorer an individual scores in IM, the more likely I am to see these retained infant reflexes in their movements.  There's a relationship here.

Metacognition - thinking about one's own thinking

I see the process of metacognition come on line frequently in IM. This week, a mom of an 8 yr old going through IM a second time commented that her son was beginning to get some 'insight into himself.' I understood this comment to mean that his ability to think about his own thoughts had started to come on line more, metacognition. Dr. McGrew recently posted about metacognition and linked to an entire book about to be published about that mental process.

Bal A Vis X

A great video about Bal A Vis X - the best I've seen to date. I use this program as an integral part of IM training for specific students and simply as breaks for other students, depending on individual needs. Watch here to learn more. Like IM, Bal A Vis X uses movement and rhythm to illicit change in brain functioning. IM has more a sophisticated feedback system, resulting in faster changes typically. Where as Bal A Vis X tends to integrate visual processing more.

ANTs - Automatic Negative Thoughts

Dr. Amen talks about ANTs in this video.  This is the seventh video of his speech, you need to go about 1:07 seconds into video to get to the ANTs part. Great video series! Watch it!

Dr. Hallowell puts his stamp of approval on iLs

About 6 months ago, I began offering another program specifically targeting that small population that was too challenged by IM and at times struggled to get through it. I have been getting great results to date with the iLs program, though I do not see changes quite as fast as I do with IM. iLs is a less intense program therefore I would expect slower response times, but non the less, it changes the brain much like IM.  Today I ran across this blog from Dr. Hallowell supporting iLs. Dr. Hallowell is a very respected expert in ADD issues. Thanks Dr. Hallowell.

Selective Awareness Test

OK, since my last post was a very boring research - let's spice it up and test your selective awareness. This is fun, try it.  

Neural Synchrony and Selective Attention

Boston University's professor of neuroscience Robert Desimone presents a wonderful lecture on Neural Synchrany and Selective Attention.    Caution, very technical.... see my notes in the read more :).  

37 Timing Links

Dr. Kevin McGrew writes the blog Tic Toc Talk: The IQ Brain Clock. He became interested in the role of timing in the brain after reviewing some IM research. He knew of very few programs that could impact academics, motor skills and social development all at once like this new IM program did.

Areas of the brain used to tell time

What does research tell us about how the brain keeps track of time and time related tasks? We are learning more every day. Read more.

My Child is constantly making noises.

Last week I saw a student who's mom reported that her son is constantly making noises.

Exploring Time: The Brain's Basal Ganglia

Using an MRI, a Team from Duke University is studying timing and the basal ganglia lights up. This set of nuclei is responsible for monitoring ALL of the brain. The basal ganglia is our timing center, our brain's conductor. See this short clip from the Science Channel here. 

Dealing with finicky eaters

I found this slide show today... pretty good I think, for all finicky eaters, not just Aspies.

Living On Thin Air: How to Get Your Asperger Kid to Eat a Healthy Diet

View more presentations from Nancy Mucklow.